Airstream 2005 International Trailer Owner's Manual page 51

AIRSTREAM INTERNATIONAL TRAILER
To prevent corrosion within the breakaway switch, pull the switch's pin straight forward and spray the
inside of the switch through the hole with an electric contact cleaner (such as Spra-Kleen) and reinsert the
pin. A drop of light household oil on the groove near the base of the pin will allow the pin to operate freely.
WHEN THE TRAILER IS CONNECTED TO THE TOW VEHICLE, THE BREAKAWAY SWITCH
LOOP SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FRAME OF YOUR HITCH. When
disconnecting trailer from tow vehicle remove wire loop from the frame. DO NOT REMOVE PIN FROM
SWITCH BECAUSE THIS WILL APPLY THE TRAILER BRAKES.
WARNING
: Do not use breakaway switch for parking brake.
HOW ELECTRIC
BRAKES WORK
The electric brakes on your
trailer are similar to the drum
brakes on your tow vehicle.
The basic difference is that
your automotive brakes are
actuated by hydraulic pressure
while your electric trailer
brakes are actuated by an
electromagnet. With all of the
brake components connected
into the system, the brakes w
operate as follows: (See
Figure A).
When electrical current is fed
into the system by the
controller, it flows through the
electro- magnets in the brakes.
The high capacity
electromagnets are energized
and are attracted to the rotating
armature surface of the drum
which moves the actuating
levers in the direction t hat the
drums are turning.
T he resulting force causes the
actuating cam block at the
shoe end of the lever to push
the primary shoe out against
the inside surface of the brake
drum.
T he force generated by the
primary shoe acting through
the adjuster link then moves
the secondary shoe out into
contact with the brake drum.
In creasing the current flow to the electromagnet causes the magnet to grip the armature surface of the brake
drum more firmly. This results in increasing the pressure against the shoes and brake drums until the
desired stop is accomplished.
ill
s,
D-13
FIGURE A